Building a computer tower

[AJ]

What would you use to build it if you wanted to stay under $900 for just the tower and have it run as fast as possible (basicly a very solid gaming and video editing setup).

I'm curious to see what it would take to build a top notch tower.

[Halon]

I used Newegg, and built mine for right around 680 I think. That included 1gb ram, AMD dual-core, 256mb video card, the case, 80gb and 250gb SataII hard drives. There's room for improvement still, like maybe another 1gb of RAM, but it sure does serve my purposes well. Just look on newegg and piece it all together.

[Pushit2.0]

I have priced out a few good gaming computers on new egg, and around $1300 is what I came up with, using a $250 asus motherboard though.

~John

[turbotalon1g]

Good topic, i am looking to do the same thing, but less video editing and more toward a tv tuner and DVD burner

[ABV]

My tower was built using Newegg. I didn't build it, but the guy I bought it from did. He only had good things to say about the experience. I can't tell you much about what to get and put inside it, but I think Newegg would be the place to get it all.

[Matt D.]

I built a solid computer last March for just over $600. The ATI X1000-series video cards just came out so I got an X850 for $150. Motherboard was about $60, hard drive (250gb SATA2) was $80, RAM (2x512mb PC3200 DDR) was about $100, case (small form factor all aluminum) was $80. Add in my 19" widescreen LCD for $200. I reused my DVD burner, but those can be had for about $30.

I think that's about it.

[DSM_421]

Yea back when I used to be hardcore into Counter-Strike I had a buddies older brother build me one off Newegg, was the bomb and 1/5 the price compaired to an Alienware that had the same guts.

[AJ]

I'l have to look around as there is misc shit I just don't understand with some of the terms and specs on the computer parts.

[Matt D.]

Allan, we'll talk at bowling tomorrow.

[ExTREME]

Could someone hook me up with a link to a decent barebone? I dont know what I'm looking for.. I want a gooooood gamer, cheap, AGP slot/s!

[Onefast99gsx]

Tiger Direct always has some pretty good deals on barebone systems. If you can swing it, I'd get something in the Intel Duo Core lineup.

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...c.asp?CatId=31

When shopping for a video card, make sure it will be compatible with MS Vista (Aero). Most all video cards will work with vista but to get the full 3D effects of menuing and such with Aero, you need something good. Aero is a feature of Vista.

[JET]

Be careful with Tigerdirect, they have a pretty crappy reputation. Newegg is awesome. Also, you don't want an AGP slot, go with with PCI express x16. I would go with the Intel Core 2 Duo for a processor the E6400 is a good deal and very overclockable.

Here is a great resource with explainations and reviews
http://www.tomshardware.com/index.html

[Onefast99gsx]

I agree with a board that has PCI Express. The video cards are a little more $$, but it's better/newer technology. AGP & PCI vid card slots are old school.

[DoughtCom]

ATI X1950Pro Video card ($160 AR)
AMD Opteron 165 Overclockable ON AIR on stock HS/Fan to 2.7-3GHz ($150) Also has 1MB cache each core.
Any NF4 motherboard ($80)
Decent RAM for fast FSB speeds, like about 7GB/s RAM transfer rates ($140 or so)
2 250GB SATA 2.0 drives striped for fast access times ($140)
G5 Mouse ($45)
any Keyboard ($10-$30)
Decent PSU ($50)
Some random case ($40)
NEC DVD-R ($30)

$845-$865

-----
If you need a monitor go with a cheaper keyboard, drop one of the drives and get cheaper RAM (about $80 less) and buy the Sceptre 20.1" WSXGA+ LCD Monitor that's on sale right now.
-----
Have more money? Get an Intel chip (Intel is the fastest right now if you have the money to spend) and get a better video card 8800GTX sounds good right now

Oh and yeah... tigerdirect blows go with newegg.

[92EvilTalon]

Newegg is the way to go I love that site. So far what said it seems people have put you in the right direction. John, like the setup so far but you dont need a 250 dollar motherboard. That is just crazy. And please reuse some of your stuff of that other tower. I bet you can get that price down too. hahaha call me bro

[Pushit2.0]

The thing about the asus is the overclockability and other options. I use my computer from befor at work so the computer I priced out would be at home, and that is almost the "best" of everything, minus the 8800 series graphics card stuff, just some 7950's.

~John

[DoughtCom]

Asus A8N32-SLI Deluxe? It's a good board I have one.

[Halon]

Mine was and Abit motherboard.

[Pushit2.0]

http://rog.asus.com/product_crosshair_main.html
I was looking the AMD route, just a little cheaper then Intel with good over clocking ability.

~John

[AJ]

Originally Posted by Matt D.

Allan, we'll talk at bowling tomorrow.

Uhhh, yeah. Maybe next week? LOL